By Jess Wind (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: September 18, 2013
UFV’s new continuing studies veterinary administrative assistant program will provide relevant practical training to students looking for office employment.
“It is a 10-month program and its aim is to give our students the knowledge and skills that they need so that they are immediately ready to work in veterinary offices or rescue or humane society organizations. Anything that requires some level of pet care or health,” Liana Thompson, UFV continuing studies manager explained.
The need for the program became apparent when applicants to local pet hospitals did not posess the skills to be successful in their positions.
“A couple of local veterinarians came to us and said, ‘Listen, one of the gaps that were experiencing in our offices is that we don’t have trained assistants,” Thompson explained, adding that the veterinarians were having to spend time training, when they could have been helping more clients.
“At this point, if somebody else can do the training and our students can arrive on their doorstep for an interview, then they’re job-ready and they can essentially walk into any office or organization that offers these services. It’s a win-win,” Thompson said.
Veterinary assistants are going to be in higher demand in the coming years, and UFV is excited about providing a program that has a need in the market now and in the future.
“The number of household pets is growing,” Thompson explained. “It’s expected that over the next 10 years that households will have 1.8 pets per household. So the more pets, the more care is required.”
Upon completion of the program, veterinary assistants can expect to make anywhere from $12 to $18 per hour, depending on the office they work in.
As well, UFV is also looking into the development of a veterinary technician program, which would allow individuals working as veterinary assistants to move up in their positions.
“It’s certainly something that’s on our radar, we’re interested in developing it,” Thompson explained. “We’d like somewhere for the students to go after they finish their administrative assistant certificate with us.”
